4 February 2009

I very seldom make dessert so when I do it has to be special and there has to be a reason. February 5th has been designated World Nutella Day so what better excuse to have some chocolaty goodness and make dessert. Forget about counting calories and "Go Big or Go Home", as they say!!!!!

Nutella is that hazelnut spread that we longed for as children smeared onto warm bread fresh from the oven or in between crepes. As if a spoonful of this chocolate-hazelnut spread gianduja isn’t delicious enough straight off the spoon!!!! Think Nutella and Ferrero Rocher!!!! Nutella is the brand name of a hazelnut-based sweet spread created by the Italian company Ferrero in the 1940s. At the time, chocolate was very limited due to World War II. Nutella is now marketed in over 75 countries across the globe. Other countries even have their own versions of this spread.

Sara from Ms. Adventures in Italy, and Michelle from Bleeding Espresso (and Shelley from At Home in Rome, in spirit) solemnly declare Thursday, February 5th “World Nutella Day 2009″ - a day to celebrate, to get creative with, and most importantly, to EAT Nutella.
The idea of spreading Nutella on my brownies came from Giada de Laurentis on the Food Network. She used brownies from a mix which are still good but don't have the lighter crumb and texture of these mascarpone brownies. These are my favourite by far!!! Toast a few hazelnuts add them to the batter, reserving a few choice specimens for the top!!

**Mascarpone Brownies with
Nutella and Toasted Hazelnut Topping**

1 cup unsalted butter

3 ounces best-quality semisweet chocolate, finely
chopped

1 cup white sugar

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1/2 cup mascarpone cheese, softened

3 large eggs, at room-temperature

2 teaspoons vanilla

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp salt

3/4 cup hazelnuts, toasted and chopped

1 cup Nutella or other chocolate hazelnut spread

Preheat oven to 325°F. Butter an 8-inch
square cake pan.

Add the chopped chocolate to a large bowl. In a
small saucepan, melt the butter and bring it to just below a boil. Pour the hot
butter over the chocolate and let stand for 30 seconds. Stir until chocolate is
completely melted.

Sift in the sugar and cocoa powder (I do this
through a sieve, not with a sifter). With a wooden spoon, beat in the mascarpone,
eggs (30 minutes on the counter brings them to room temperature) and vanilla,
mixing until smooth. Gently fold the flour and salt into the batter. Add
chopped hazelnuts, reserving 1/4 cup for decoration.

Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly--this
is important since, if the batter isn't spread evenly, it won't bake evenly.
Place into preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a tester
comes out clean (45 minutes did it for me). Place pan on a cooling rack and let
brownies cool for 10-15 minutes.

Spread Nutella over entire surface of brownies or cut into slices
as I did and spread each piece with Nutella separately. Decorate with remaining
chopped hazelnuts.

there's always a jar of a nutella-type spread in our house (we usually buy the greek version called merenda), although i never ever knew it in new zealand as a child. when i went back to nz in 2004, i noticed that ferrero chocolate had come onto the market there too, so i guess kiwi kids are eating it now

Ohhhh Val! These.are.amazing. Seriously. Mascarpone AND Nutella? If I had mascarpone in the fridge I would be whipping these up right this second, even though half my jar of Nutella accidentally landed in my mouth last night. ;P

I made these last night for my movie night, and they were incredible! The only addition was a little bit of strong coffee to the batter and a tad extra salt... I don't like things too sweet. The Nutella on top really made it! This is a keeper... thanks!!!

Stumbled upon this recipe by chance and decided to try it out since Marscarpone & Nutella are two of my very favorites - I was not disappointed! These brownies were amazinnggg and my friends, family and boyfriend loved them! He is addicted to another popular store bought brownie mix, but I think he has found a new favorite. Thank you so much very this recipe :) I will be trying more of your recipes very soon!

You must love Nutella Day, always coming up with such fantastic Nutella recipes :DI am just eating my Nutella ice cream wishing this brownie could be there with it... can't wait to see this year's post :D

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My blog More Than Burnt Toast has been my passion for almost 12 years and has evolved with me over time as I have gained confidence in the kitchen. Follow my travels through Italy and Greece one recipe at a time, upcoming cooking classes at local Okanagan wineries and restaurants, as well as daily experimentation in my own kitchen. Every day we should be excited about what we are eating even if it just means making use of a wonderful find at our local farmers market. I look forward to getting to know you.